Ease into fall with colors from your garden

Fall may be knocking on the door, but there’s no need to put away the flowers just yet. As the seasons shift, summer’s vibrant blooms can continue to brighten patios, porches, balconies and interiors, offering an easy way to savor the lingering days of warm weather. Whether enjoyed beside a favorite book and a cold drink or gathered into a colorful centerpiece, fresh flowers can make even an ordinary afternoon feel like a celebration.

There are endless ways to bring that seasonal beauty to your surroundings. In fact, this in-between time of year can be one of the best times to enjoy summer’s bounty when the garden is still generous with color but the first hints of autumn are beginning to appear.

The key is to have fun with it. Mix colors, textures, greenery and branches, experiment with different containers and let the flowers reflect the season — and your own personality. With a little creativity, you can keep summer’s cheerful spirit around a while longer while gently welcoming the cozy days of fall.

Let summer linger
Late-summer gardens are still bursting with possibilities. Dahlias, gladioli and lilies come in an astonishing range of colors, shapes and sizes — and they make stunning arrangements. Rather than reaching for a ready-made bouquet, gather a mix of loose flowers, foliage and branches and create your own. Arrange them in a favorite vase or container, then display the finished bouquet indoors or outside for an instant dose of color.

Make a statement
Let your floral arrangements reflect your personal style. Choose a sturdy vase or planter for outdoor displays, or scatter several smaller vessels across a table for a more playful look. To help cut flowers stay fresh, trim the stems diagonally before placing them in water and keep arrangements in a shady spot. Change the water regularly and, during lingering warm spells, check them daily. Outdoors, a few rocks or some sand in the bottom of a container can help keep it steady when the breeze picks up.

For an inviting finishing touch, surround your arrangement with candles, lanterns or other seasonal accents. A simple floral display can turn a patio table into a cozy gathering spot for those last leisurely days outdoors.

Let nature have its moment
Summer-flowering bulbs can keep the garden colorful for weeks, while also attracting pollinators and supporting biodiversity. Remove spent blooms to encourage continued flowering, and remember that some bulbs, including dahlias and gladioli, can be lifted after flowering and stored in a frost-free place to replant next year.

And there’s a whole world of unusual bulbs to consider for future gardens, including calla lilies, pineapple lilies, freesias and blazing star. Planning ahead now can help ensure another spectacular display when warm weather returns.

A lily for all seasons
If lilies are already growing in your garden, you have an especially versatile bloom at your fingertips. Their elegant flowers range from pristine white and creamy yellow to rich reds and purples, making them equally at home on a terrace, balcony or dining table. Potted lilies can also transition easily between outdoor and indoor spaces.

A bouquet of lilies makes a beautiful statement on its own, but they also pair effortlessly with other seasonal flowers. Combine them with dahlias and gladioli in late summer, or bring them into fall with branches and foliage for an arrangement with a more autumnal feel. With their variety of colors, forms and fragrances, lilies offer endless opportunities to refresh a floral display as the seasons change.

Blooms for the soul
Flowers do more than brighten a room — they can brighten a mood, too. There’s something inherently soothing about selecting blooms, arranging them in a vase and taking the time to appreciate their color, texture and fragrance. Even the simple ritual of creating a bouquet can provide a welcome moment of calm.

So before summer slips away completely, gather a few favorite blooms and bring them to the table. After all, there’s no better way to ease into fall than with a little beauty still in bloom.